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Both sparkle and both last. But they're made of different things, they catch the light differently, and the price gap is bigger than most people expect.
Moissanite vs diamond: the short answer
A moissanite isn't a diamond, and it doesn't pretend to be. It's a lab-created gem that's nearly as hard (9.25 vs 10 on the Mohs scale), throws more rainbow fire, and costs a fraction of a diamond the same size. Choose diamond for natural origin and tradition. Choose moissanite for everyday sparkle without the diamond price.
Diamonds have stood for lasting love for generations. Moissanite is the newer name people keep asking about, often because it looks like a diamond at a fraction of the cost. But the two aren't interchangeable. Here's what each stone is, how moissanite vs diamond compares on sparkle, strength and price, and how to decide which one belongs in your jewelry box.
Moissanite vs Diamond vs Lab Diamond at a GlanceSwipe the table sideways to compare all three.
| MoissaniteOur pick | Natural diamond | Lab diamond | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made of | Silicon carbide | Pure carbon | Pure carbon |
| Origin | Lab-created (first found in a meteor crater in 1893) | Mined, formed deep in the earth | Grown in a lab, chemically identical to mined diamond |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 9.25 | 10 | 10 |
| Refractive index | 2.65 to 2.69 | About 2.42 | About 2.42 |
| Sparkle | More rainbow fire (double refractive) | Crisp white brilliance | Crisp white brilliance |
| Graded by | Size in mm, colour, clarity (ours: D colour, VVS1) | Carat, cut, colour, clarity | Carat, cut, colour, clarity |
| Price for the same size | A fraction of a diamond | Highest | Below mined, above moissanite |
What Is Moissanite?Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 by the French scientist Henri Moissan, in a meteor crater. Natural moissanite is so rare that almost all moissanite in jewelry today is created in a lab.
It's made of silicon carbide, a different material from diamond, with its own optical character. So it isn't a "fake diamond". It's a gemstone in its own right, and that's exactly why the moissanite vs diamond question has a real answer.
What Is a Diamond?A diamond is pure carbon, crystallised under extreme heat and pressure deep in the earth. It's the hardest natural mineral we know, and it has been the traditional symbol of enduring love for generations.
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, chemically identical to mined ones, grown in a controlled environment. They're popular for being more affordable and more sustainable than mined diamonds.
So moissanite vs lab diamond comes down to this: a lab diamond gives you diamond chemistry and a classic white sparkle; moissanite gives you more fire for less.
Brilliance and Fire: Moissanite Throws More RainbowDiamond's refractive index is about 2.42, which gives it that crisp, intense white sparkle. Moissanite's is higher, 2.65 to 2.69, and it's double refractive, so light splits into more colourful flashes.
In daylight you'll see more rainbow "fire" from a moissanite, especially in moissanite earrings that catch the light as you move. Some people love that extra colour; others prefer a diamond's cooler white. It's the first thing most people notice when they compare moissanite vs diamond side by side.
See the fire for yourself
Winter Frost Moissanite Reversible Huggie Earrings
Two looks in one huggie, set with D colour, VVS1 moissanite.
Shop the EarringsHardness and Durability: Made for Everyday WearDiamond scores a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Moissanite scores 9.25, making it the second-hardest gemstone used in jewelry.
In practice, it stands up to the knocks of daily life: typing, washing up, travel. Moissanite resists scratches and abrasion, so it keeps its sparkle with simple cleaning, which is why moissanite rings work so well as everyday pieces.
Weighing moissanite vs lab diamond for durability? A lab diamond shares a mined diamond's 10, while moissanite's 9.25 is more than enough for daily wear.
Built to be worn daily
Lilac Sunset Moissanite Eternity Band
A full circle of moissanite on a sterling silver band.
Shop the RingPrice and Value: The Gap Is Bigger Than You ThinkMoissanite costs a fraction of a diamond of comparable size and quality. That changes what you can choose: a fuller tennis bracelet, a stack of rings, or a pair of earrings you'll actually wear, instead of one piece saved for special occasions.
The same holds for moissanite vs lab diamond: a lab diamond costs less than a mined one, and moissanite typically costs less again for the same size.
Everyday sparkle
Moissanite Tennis Bracelet - White
D colour, VVS1 moissanite with an adjustable slider and magnetic clasp.
Shop the BraceletMoissanite or Diamond: Which Should You Choose?Choose moissanite if…
Choose diamond if…
There's no wrong answer to moissanite or diamond. But if everyday brilliance is the goal, moissanite is hard to beat.
Shop Moissanite JewelryWhat You Get With Mondays Made MoissaniteHuggies you never take off, a band that stacks, a tennis bracelet for every day. Start with the piece you'll wear most.
Not sure yet? Every piece ships free worldwide, with 30 days to return or exchange.
No. Moissanite is its own gemstone, made of silicon carbide, with its own hardness and sparkle. It's an alternative to diamond, not an imitation of one.
They sparkle differently. Moissanite has a higher refractive index (2.65 to 2.69 vs about 2.42) and shows more colourful, rainbow fire. A diamond gives a crisper white brilliance.
Up close, especially in sunlight, moissanite shows more rainbow flashes. A jeweller can also tell them apart with a tester. From a normal distance, both read as bright, clear stones.
Both are lab-created. A lab diamond is chemically a diamond and costs less than a mined one. Moissanite typically costs less again for the same size, with more fire and slightly lower hardness (9.25 vs 10).
Yes. At 9.25 on the Mohs scale it's the second-hardest gemstone used in jewelry, so it resists scratches from daily wear. Give it a gentle clean now and then to keep the sparkle.
Moissanite itself doesn't turn cloudy. Lotion, soap and skin oils can build up on any stone and dull it temporarily; a soft brush with warm, soapy water brings the sparkle back (more tips in our guide to simple jewelry care).
Moissanite is usually described by size in millimetres rather than carats, plus colour and clarity. Mondays Made moissanite uses colourless D colour, VVS1 clarity stones.
Our pieces are made on an S925 sterling silver base and are nickel and lead free. If you have a known metal allergy, check each product's material details before you buy.
Still deciding between moissanite or diamond? Try D colour, VVS1 moissanite set in sterling silver and thick 18k vermeil, made to be worn every day.
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